Babes and Bikes have had a long love affair. In the 1890’s, the cheap and easily assessable bicycle provided women with a feasible means for free transportation. Susan B. Anthony once said, "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood." The bike also allotted women the ability to BREATHE, a luxury not enjoyed since the invention of the corset (which was torn off along with ankle-length skirts in exchange for the comfy ‘bloomers’ known today as pants).

The celebration continues this Sunday with a girls-only Alley Cat race to start at 3 PM on 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street. Congratulations to the fastest chicks on two wheels will continue along with more feats-of-fast at East River Bar after the race with Gold Sprints and BBQ! We’ll see you at the starting line!